Len and Sheila Moore opened the original Lennys Sub Shop franchise, a genuine Philadelphia-style sub shop franchise with fresh baked bread and the finest quality deli meats and cheeses, in a Memphis suburb in 1998. They started to franchise in 2001. Lenny’s Franchisor Chief Executive Officer George Alvord and private investors acquired majority ownership of the company from Len Moore in 2004. Since that time, Lenny’s has granted more than 300 franchises in nine states from North Carolina to Texas.

Expanding the franchise into Las Vegas will expose the Western U.S. to the brand as it grows out of the Southeastern market. According to a recent report on the state of franchise business, Las Vegas led all American cities in small business growth. Many area experts predict that the numbers are only going to up. In addition, the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority states that nearly 38 million tourists visit Las Vegas each year.

“We believe that taking Lenny’s to Las Vegas will provide our best franchise an anchor in the Western United States,” said George Alvord, Chief Executive Officer of Lenny’s Franchisor, LLC. “Our stake in Las Vegas will help us move into surrounding states and will provide top franchise exposure to the millions of tourists that frequent the market. We are excited to have LVNR Corporation onboard and are confident that their years of experience will make Las Vegas one of our most successful markets.”

Together, LVNR Corporation’s principal owners have almost fifty years of management experience in the food service business. Chief Operating Officer Ray Strickland and Chief Financial Officer Jeffrey Knowles were previously employed at Gate Gourmet Inc., a multi-billion dollar global market leader in airline catering. Both worked with Lenny’s CEO George Alvord during his tenure as President and CEO of Dobbs/Gate Gourmet. Strickland served the as West Area Vice President for Gate Gourmet and was responsible for $245 Million in revenue spread over 12 locations from Chicago to Honolulu. Knowles held a variety of positions with Gate Gourmet which include his time as General Manager of the Las Vegas catering facility and the West Area Financial Controller. Prior to Gate Gourment, Knowles managed multiple restaurants for McDonald’s Corporation.

“I worked with several members of the Lenny’s corporate team during my time at Gate Gourmet. These are people that I know will take Lenny’s to the top franchise opportunities next level,” said Strickland. “I also believe in the Lenny’s concept and I know it will be welcomed in the Las Vegas environment.”

LVNR plans to open the first franchise restaurants in Henderson and then move into the Summerlin area. They will also be reaching out to the convention centers and the casinos to offer franchise catering services for large numbers of people. The first Lenny’s in the Las Vegas market will open in Henderson in November 2005.

This announcement is one of many recent franchise agreements made by Lenny’s Franchisor, LLC. In the past months, Lenny’s has made announcements for multi franchise restaurant packages opportunities in several states, including Florida, North Carolina, Texas, Tennessee, Alabama and Arkansas. Lenny’s is on track to open between 400 and 500 restaurants in the next few years.

Multi unit franchise buyers have found this to be a best buy restaurant franchise oppotunities in the franchise sandwich sub market business sector.